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Limits
Definitions Precise Definition : We say lim f ( x ) = L if Limit at Infinity : We say lim f ( x ) = L if we
x a
for every e > 0 there is a d > 0 such that whenever 0 < x - a < d then f ( x ) - L < e . Working Definition : We say lim f ( x ) = L if we can make f ( x ) as close to L as we want by taking x sufficiently close to a (on either side of a) without letting x = a . Right hand limit : lim+ f ( x ) = L . This has
x a x a
can make f ( x ) as close to L as we want by taking x large enough and positive. There is a similar definition for lim f ( x ) = L
x -
except we require x large and negative. Infinite Limit : We say lim f ( x ) = if we can make f ( x ) arbitrarily large (and positive) by taking x sufficiently close to a (on either side of a) without letting x = a . There is a similar definition for lim f ( x ) = - except we make f ( x ) arbitrarily large and negative.
x a x a
the same definition as the limit except it requires x > a . Left hand limit : lim- f ( x ) = L . This has the
x a
same definition as the limit except it requires x<a. Relationship between the limit and one-sided limits lim f ( x ) = L lim+ f ( x ) = lim- f ( x ) = L lim+ f ( x ) = lim- f ( x ) = L lim f ( x ) = L
x a x a x a +
x a
x a
x a
x a
Properties Assume lim f ( x ) and lim g ( x ) both exist and c is any number then,
x a x a
Basic Limit Evaluations at Note : sgn ( a ) = 1 if a > 0 and sgn ( a ) = -1 if a < 0 . 1. lim e x = &
x x x-
lim e x = 0
x 0 +
5. n even : lim x n =
x
&
lim ln ( x ) = -
Evaluation Techniques Continuous Functions LHospitals Rule f ( x) 0 f ( x) If f ( x ) is continuous at a then lim f ( x ) = f ( a ) x a If lim = or lim = then, x a g ( x ) x a g ( x ) 0 Continuous Functions and Composition f ( x) f ( x) lim = lim a is a number, or - f ( x ) is continuous at b and lim g ( x ) = b then x a g ( x ) x a g ( x ) lim f ( g ( x ) ) = f lim g ( x ) = f ( b )
x a x a
x a
Factor and Cancel ( x - 2 )( x + 6 ) x 2 + 4 x - 12 lim = lim 2 x2 x2 x - 2x x ( x - 2) x+6 8 = lim = =4 x2 x 2 Rationalize Numerator/Denominator 3- x 3- x 3+ x lim 2 = lim 2 x 9 x - 81 x 9 x - 81 3 + x 9- x -1 = lim = lim 2 x 9 ( x - 81) 3 + x x9 ( x + 9 ) 3 + x
Polynomials at Infinity p ( x ) and q ( x ) are polynomials. To compute p ( x) factor largest power of x in q ( x ) out x q ( x ) lim of both p ( x ) and q ( x ) then compute limit. x 2 3 - 42 3 - 42 3x 2 - 4 3 x lim = lim 2 5 = lim 5 x = x - 5 x - 2 x 2 x - x x - 2 x -2 x -2
Piecewise Function
x 2 + 5 if x < -2 lim g ( x ) where g ( x ) = x -2 1 - 3x if x -2 Compute two one sided limits, lim- g ( x ) = lim- x 2 + 5 = 9
x -2
x -2+
lim g ( x ) = lim+ 1 - 3 x = 7
x -2
x -2
doesnt exist. If the two one sided limits had been equal then lim g ( x ) would have existed
x -2
Some Continuous Functions Partial list of continuous functions and the values of x for which they are continuous. 1. Polynomials for all x. 7. cos ( x ) and sin ( x ) for all x. 2. Rational function, except for xs that give 8. tan ( x ) and sec ( x ) provided division by zero. 3p p p 3p 3. n x (n odd) for all x. x L , - , - , , ,L 2 2 2 2 4. n x (n even) for all x 0 . 9. cot ( x ) and csc ( x ) provided 5. e x for all x. x L , -2p , -p , 0, p , 2p ,L 6. ln x for x > 0 . Intermediate Value Theorem Suppose that f ( x ) is continuous on [a, b] and let M be any number between f ( a ) and f ( b ) . Then there exists a number c such that a < c < b and f ( c ) = M .